Fugitive Cosmetics Heir Found in Mexico

June 18, 2003 -- — Fugitive Max Factor cosmetics heir Andrew Luster was captured in Mexico today, ending a worldwide manhunt that began when the 39-year-old convicted rapist jumped bail and fled during his trial in January.

Luster was located by bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman in western Mexico, according to authorities in Ventura, Calif., where the cosmetics empire heir had been tried.

A spokeswoman for Chapman, Beth Smith, told ABCNEWS that Luster was captured by Chapman, his sons — Leland and Tim Chapman — and a B-list actor, Boris Krutonog, near the western Mexican beach resort of Puerto Vallarta in the presence of several witnesses.

Mexican police arrested the bounty hunters as well as two members of a television crew who were present at the time of the apprehension, according to The Associated Press.

Although bounty hunters enjoy police-like powers in the United States, under Mexican law, arrests by bounty hunters are considered kidnappings.

According to Smith, Chapman had received leads that the wanted cosmetics heir was in Mexico and had tracked his car and the hotel he was staying in. The capture came after one of Chapman's sons spotted him near Puerto Vallarta, said Smith, and then called his father, who proceeded to nab him.

The great-grandson of cosmetics mogul Max Factor, Luster fled his trial in January during a holiday recess and was subsequently convicted of multiple counts of rape, poisoning and drug possession involving three women.

He was sentenced in absentia to 124 years in prison.

Earlier this month, an appellate court in Ventura denied an attempt by Luster's lawyers to appeal his conviction, saying the cosmetics heir had forfeited his right to appeal by jumping bail.

In an interview with ABCNEWS.com, Luster's attorney Roger Diamond said that since the California state attorney general had challenged his appeal on the grounds that Luster was a fugitive, his capture could help the appeals process to go forward. "If he is captured, he could pursue his appeal," said Diamond.

The U.S. government is expected his seek Luster's extradition from Mexico, a move Diamond said could help the appeals process.

"If in fact he wants to pursue his appeal, it would be helpful if he was here," said Diamond.

Sordid Mix of Sex, Drugs and Wealth

Luster's apprehension today ended a high-profile search for the troubled heir, whose sordid life story involving a motley mix of sex, drugs, wealth and corruption is the subject of a TV movie currently in production.

His flight was the subject of intense media scrutiny.

In an interview with Good Morning America earlier this year, Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks said his department knew Luster was a flight risk and tried to prevent his escape from the trial. "We asked for a high bail, and the appellate court lowered it to $1 million," said Brooks. "That was a bad decision in hindsight."

Luster had a generous trust fund and a net worth estimated at more than $30 million. His great-grandfather started his career in the early days of Hollywood and went on to build a fortune when he invented the pancake makeup that would be worn by all the stars.

With a multimillion-dollar inheritance, Luster did not have to work. Instead, he surfed, hung out in nightclubs and seduced young women, who were drawn to his wealth and good looks.

Drugging Before Raping

The case against him began more than two years ago, when a 21-year-old college student told authorities that Luster drugged and raped her after she met him at a bar.

He was also charged with drugging and raping two other young women he met in the Santa Barbara area.

One woman, who authorities say was 17 when Luster filmed her as she was passed out in his bed, testified that she had no memory of the encounter.

Police searches of Luster's California home turned up graphic videotapes of Luster having sex with women who appeared to be either asleep or unconscious, allegedly after being administered the so-called "date-rape drug," GHB.

In one of the tapes, which was played in court after he jumped bail, Luster was seen on camera having sex with a woman who appeared unconscious. On the audio track, the cosmetics heir could be heard declaring: "That's exactly what I like in my room: A passed-out beautiful girl."

Diamond has maintained that the women only pretended to be asleep while consenting to film pornographic movies.

ABCNEWS.com's Leela Jacinto in New York and Jose Cohen in Mexico contributed to this report.